The training is well underway for enthusiastic swimmers from the University of Aberdeen who are gearing up for a gruelling challenge this weekend to raise funds for a worthy cause that’s surprisingly close to home.

Dr Peter Billingsley along with colleagues from the School of Biological Sciences is taking part in the World Swim for Malaria event on Saturday, December 3. The worldwide event is aiming to raise funds for insecticide-treated bednets, by getting at least one million people into the water on the day.

Malaria remains a huge problem throughout the tropics, particularly in Africa and around two million people die each year - most of them children under five years old.

The North Sea, Aberdeen, and malaria are inextricably linked. Aberdeen's economy is founded on oil in both the North Sea and in the tropics where malaria is so prevalent. Indeed, after London, Aberdeen has the highest number of reported cases of malaria per annum in the UK. Aberdeen oil workers are constantly exposed to - and often infected with - malaria. Unlike fellow sufferers in the tropics, Aberdonians have the luxury of being able to afford preventative measures and cures when things go wrong.

The University is also the home of Sir Patrick Manson - founder of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and regarded as the godfather of tropical medical research.

While those in the field of medical research continue to work towards cures and prevention, Peter wants to spread the word about the forthcoming swimming event which everyone, young and old, can take part in, have fun, and help to make a difference to the lives of families living with the daily risk of this deadly disease.

Peter said: “Here at the University Aberdeen we have hit our target of 50 and in fact we have more than 50 people out of the expected one million people taking part in the World Swim for Malaria day.

“And, I’ll be one of them! Together with several enthusiastic family members, friends, students and colleagues, we will be taking a dip in the North Sea (yes, the North Sea in December!).”

So how can people support this very worthwhile event? Firstly, spread the news and get more people involved as well as more people giving money. The easiest way for people to get involved in the event is to circulate an email round their workplace, and to forward it to everyone in their address book.

People and companies can sponsor Peter’s swim – visit www.WorldSwimForMalaria.com/NorthSeaDip and click on the SponsorMe! Button, and follow the instructions. Peter’s local target was to raise £5,000 from people taking part in the event, which he has already surpassed. Peter would also welcome some active corporate sponsorship from within the Aberdeen oil trade and would be more than happy to discuss different options available to local companies. Peter added: “All the signs are that this will be a huge event - and it seems only right that the Aberdeen oil community is out in front in terms of raising funds to tackle an issue which must be of special interest to global operators active in the African continent.

“I would like to invite everyone of all ages and all abilities to get behind this worldwide event. You don’t need to swim any particular distance, just get in the water for a while and make sure all your friends and colleagues are sponsoring you to be there!”

If anyone wishes to join Peter and support this very worthwhile event – which will make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable children and families in Africa, please email him direct: p.billingsley@abdn.ac.uk and let him know whether you will be joining him in the sea, the pool, or perhaps even both.